Some toolmaking: Planes & layout gear

For this table i recently finished i had some trouble with the kiln dryed ash tearing out. After a chat with MaFe i could see that the only solution was a scraper plane. Searching LJ i found a super thorough blog by Shipwright describing a wooden scraper plane made after an old book awailable online. Perfect! Made from ash with a blade made from an old circular saw blade. Cuts lovely shavings in even the most horrible grain and is a pleasure to hold and use. Had a bit of worry if the blade woud be hard enough but it keeps an edge for quite long. Took some trial and error to get the burr right though.

This got me going and in a short while i had made myself a straightedge from elm, 2 squares and a centerfinder from ash and a new body for an old rabbet plane in ebonized oak.

This made for some joyfull evenings inthe shop. Will for sure make more tools in the future.

Nice job on these. I’m glad to be of some help on the scraper plane although Hayward gets the credit for the great description. The blades do take a little practice to get the bur just right but they are great once you get the knack.

@Jim: Thank you. Are pretty satisfied with them. Perhaps you are going to have a go yourself?

@Paul: Thanks. Altered the design a bit on the handles etc. Have afterwards learned that the mouth shuld have been opened up at a greater angle. As it is now shavings can get trapped a bit. But no big deal. Have you found any good tricks regarding setting the burr?

@Tim: Yes, surprizingly so. I´d say same hardness as a hand saw plate; just barely possible to file comfortably. Have a go for yourself!

@Klaus: Thanks. Inspiration is what being here on LJ is all about. And there is so much of it!